Helm-limiting device



Aug; 31 1926. 1,598,107

A. D. TRENOR HELM LIMITING DEVICE Original Filed March 14, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

m VENTOR W 0 J Zww' HJSATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1926. 1,598,107

A. D. TRENOR HELH LIMITING DEVICE Original Filed March 14, 1913 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @XYENTOR MM W a 7. fia/ d m HIS A TTOR/VEY 'atented Aug 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES mm! D. cranes. or raw xoax, n. m,

ASSIGNOB TO JOHN HAYS WON D, m,

] GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS- miml-Lmrrnve nsvrcii.

011:1! application fled Karen 14, 1918, serial Ho. 288,859. Divided and this application fledl'anuary Some of the objects of the present invenion are to rovide a means for maintaining I. moving dyv upon a certain predeternined course whereby any variation.or deiation of said bod from the prescribed :ourse is automatica y and promptly corected; to provide a steering mechanism adapted to move about a fixed axis throug h m angle proportioned in a defin te ratio vo any ang e of deviation of the moving body from a predetermined course; to provlde neans to automatically arrest the movement if the steering mechanism after a certaln mgleof movement caused by the deviation if the moving body from its course; toproride means to vary the ratio of movement if the steering mechanism to the deviation )f the moving body according to requirenents.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a lia ammatic representation of a helm imiting device embodying the present invention; and Fig'. 2 is a detail in elevatlon )f the control mechanism; Fig. 3 is a modiication in plan of the motion transmittin' neans from the steering mechanism; an Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown n Fi 3.

Thii s application is a division of my copendi application, Serial No. 222,359, tiled March 14, 1918, renewed April 15, 1912, Serial No. 461,676, Patent No. 1,405,078, Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

Referring to the drawings, one form of the invention comprises a rudder which is rigidly secured to a rudder st 11 which when in operation is carried y a movable body and arranged to be rotated with respect thereto about an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the psi; and fixed with respect to the movable y to osclllate the rudder 10 to control the movement of the movable body. The rubber 10 and rudder 0st 11 may be the usual rudder and rud er post of a torpedo, a boat or other marine vessel or might form parts of an aircraft or other movable body.

Rigidly secured to the rud er post 11 is a lever arm 12 which is pivotally connected by means of a link 13 to one end of a piston rod 14, the other end of which is secured to a piston 15 which is arranged to be reciprocated in a fixed cylinder 16 under the action of compressed air or the like admitted alternately to or exhausted from opposite ends of the cylinder 16 through corresponding pipes 17 and 18 which are controlled 2y means of a cylindrical slide valve 19.

1118 valve is of well known construction and includes a movable double valve element 20 which opens and closes communication between a main pressure fluid supply pipe 21 and the pipes 17 and 18 and between these latter and corresponding exhaust ports 22 and 23. The movable valve element 20 is operated and the direction of its movement selectively controlled b solenoids 24 and 25 having cores 26 and respectively forming extensions of the movable valve element 20. Suitable springs 28 and 29 serve to return and maintain the valve 20 in neutral position when the solenoids are de-energized. I

The mechanism by which the solenoids are selectively, energized to control the rudder 10 according to requirements consists,

'in one embodiment of theinvention, of a shaft 31 which in the form here described forms an extension of the rudder shaft 11,

though this is not always thecase. This shaft 31 carries'a contact arm 32 fixed to move with said shaft and to slidably engage alternately two arcuate contact segments,

33 .and 34 mounted upon and rotatable with,

but insulated from, a plate 35 vwhich is loose 1y mounted upon the'shaft 31 to rotate free- 1y with respect thereto. The ends of the two-segments are suitably spaced apart by two insulation segments 36, so that in normal position the contact arm 32 rests on "such insulation and the control circuits to the solenoids are broken. In orderto return to and also to maintain the plate 35 in this normal position a roller 37 or, the like is mounted upon the plate 35 to rotate freely with respect thereto about an axis fixed with respect to the plate and between two.

followers 38 which are pressed towards each other respectively by two opposed s rings 39, which respectively surround two a 'gned shafts 39' 39' rigidly secured to the two followers 38, 38, and arranged to reciprocate respectivel 40. The circults controlled by the segments and arm have a common return conductor 42 connecting the solenoids 24 and 25 with the arm 32 through a battery 43 and two separate conductors 44 and 45 conin two fixed bearings 40, 7

me the respective segments 33 and 34 with fie respective solenoids 24 and 25.

For automatically rotating the plate 35, whereby one or the other Cll'CultJS closed, a suitable clutch mechanism is provided for frictionally locking the plateto a gear 46 loosely mounted upon the shaft 31 and rotated with respect thereto according to requirements by means of an electric motion repeater 47, the control of which Wlll be later described. In the form shown this clutch consistsof a cylinder 48 secured to the late 35 and having a piston 49 therein whic is normally pressed outwardly by a spring 50. The piston 49 actuates a piston rod 51 which carries a clutch disc 52 which is normally held in frictional contact with the face of the gear 46 whereby movement of the latter is transmitted to the plate and both turn in the required manner about the shaft 31 and relative to the arm 32. Should it be desired to release the clutch, a pipe 53 is rovided and adapted to convey pressure find to the cylinder 48, with. which it communicates on the side of the piston 49 o posite to the spring 48. A valve 54 in t e pipe 53 controls the supply of fluid at will.

The electric repeater 47 which actuates the gear 46 is actuated by an electrical transmitter 55 which is actuated by a gear 56 which is rigidly secured to a normally vertical shaft which is arranged to rotate with respect to the vessel or other movable body about an axis fixed with respect to the vessel or other movable body and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and to be held against rotation in space about that axis by means of a gyroscope 57 or other suitable stabilizing means. The repeater 47 is connected to the transmitter through a four wire cable-58 including a battery 59. In the present construction the speed ratio is greater than unity and such that the gear 46 rotates or turns at an angular rate of rotation greater thanthe angular rate of rotation of the gyro-gear 56. In the form shown by way of example the gear ratio is 2 to 1 and consequently a deviation of the moving body five degrees from its true course will result in the gear 46 being turned in the opposite direction through an angle of twelve and one half degrees. 7 This latter angle must be turned by the arm 32 before it returns to normal position upon the insulating block and hence the rudder movement is limited to a definite predetermined movement; I

The operation of the form of this invention shown inFigures 1 and 2 just described is as follows: Assuming that the moving 'body, which is being steered on a predetermined course, should deviate from that course, for example five degrees to the right. The=first-result of this action is a relative movement between the moving body and the gear 56 of the gyro-compass, since this la ter' is fixed in space and conseguently mov with respect to the body five egrees to t] left or counter-clockwise. This moveme: is transmitted to the gear 46, which, due the speed ratio and gearing, is moved twel and one half degrees to the right or clocl wise, thus correspondingly turning the CO1 tact plate 35 relative to the arm 32 at bringing the latter into'contact with the se; ment 34. The electric circuit controlled l the contact arm 32 and segment 34 is th closed, and the solenoid 25 energize -whereupon the core 26 is shifted so: that tl slide valve 20 opens the pipe 17 to the su ply of pressure fluid from pipe 21. This ar mrts pressure to the motor cylinder 16 an causes the piston 15 to move to the left (Fi; 1) thereby throwing the rudder in the d rection required to return the body to i prescribed course and correct its deviatio1 In addition to moving the rudder, tl turning of the post 11 also turns the shat 31 which carries the contact arm 32, so th! as the angle of the rudder is increasing tl angle of the arm 32 relative to its normal p sition upon the insulation is decreasing. I consequence, when the rudder has swun through twelve and one half degrees the cor tact arm 32 has reached the insulation an the circuit through the solenoid 25 is broker with the result that the solenoid is de-enei gized. its core returned by the spring actiol and the pressure fluid cut off from the moto: The pipe 17 consequently exhausts by wa of port 22 and the rudder is stopped in position to bring the moving body back t its predetermined course. As the bod swings to the left or counter-clockwise un der the action of the rudder in its new pc sition, the plate 35 will be turned in a coun ter-clockwise direction with respect to th moving body under the action of the rc compass 57 and the arm 32 will make con tact with the segment 33, thus energizin; the solenoid 24 and causing the rudder 1 to be turned in a counter-clockwise direc tion until the arm 32 is again on the insula tion segment 36. when the movement of th rudder will be stopped.

It is, therefore, evident that the rudde 10 will be displaced from its central positior an amount proportional to the deviation 0 the moving object from the predetermine course, and in a direction to bring the bed; back to the predetermined course. The pro portion, in the preferred form, gives a move ment of the rudder two and one half time; that of the amount of deviation of the body but it should be understood that this rati of movement may be varied as required 01 necessary.

In Figures 3 and 4, another embodimen of this invention is disclosed, wherein tht control shaft 31 is separated from the rud er 11, though connected thereto by lit 1e: means for proportionin qthe throw E the lillddertrelative to the eviation of m Imoving body from .its course. This IQChfllilSlll comprisesan arm 160. clamped the post 11 for movement therewith,-and

a'ving -its free end pivoted'to an adjustable ad 61 'liiClIx Qfi l'l'lQS lL movable pivot 62 :la'ptedto be; clampedin any. desired fixed os tion in a slot 63 .ofa-lever 64. This later, operates thelshaft 31 whereby the conlct arm 32jis returned to normal position, -hich operation fixes the limit of angular aviation of the rudder vas will be under- ;ood. Theinterposition of the connecting means between the post 11 and shaft 31 lakes it unnecessary to employ a repeater etween the'gyro-compass 57 and the plate 5, and consequently these devices are diactl coupled through the medium of a reeasal ile clutch (36 comprising a cylinder 67 aving a piston 68 arrangedtherein forreiprocatory movement and normally pressed 1 one direction by a spring 69. 'A piston ad 70 has one end secured to the vpiston 68 nd its site end is secured to a clutch isc 71 w roll is encircled by and arranged rcooperate with a hollow clutch member 2 rigidly. secured to the roscope stem 73. cpi e 74- assesinto the xed bracket suport 5 an communicates with aigroove 7 6 1 the support, which groove 7 6 communiates through'a port 77 with the interior f the'cylinder 67 so that when the valve 8 inpipe 74. is open, pressure fluid is admitted to the opposite side of piston 68 from ae spring 69, whereby the latter is overomeand the .clutch in consequence is dis-. onnected. Y

The operationof this form of the invenion ism all material respects similar to aat described in'connection with the con bruction of-Figures 1 and 2, assuming-as efore that the moving bodv-should deiate from the predetermined course-say degrees to the ri ht.- The first result of his rotation is a re ative movement between be moving body. and the gyro-compass 57 [nee this atter is fixed in space and conseuentlymoves with respect to the moving 0d five de rees to the left, or counter-, loc wise. T 118 causes the plate 35 to move a a similar manner with respect to the movmg body, and therefore causes the contact a ent 34 to move under the brush 32, r lch energizes the solenoid 25, which loves the rudder in a clockwise direclon, as reviously described, to return the moving ody, to the predetermined course. t therefore follows that the rudder 10 will e moving through an angle which is proortional to the angle through which the loving body has turned, and in a direction which will tend to return the moving body p its predetermined course.

'- In ass a gears masthead... operating means by ,a control separate from the automatic means shown in Fig.v 1, the

valve 5i isopened to admitpressure fluid to the cylinder 48 to overcome the. spring,- pres.- sure and move the piston 48 in adirection torelease the friction 52 from enga ement with the gear {16. This renders t is portion of the; mechanism inoperative and control of the rudder shifting, piston is had by way of the pressure fluid pipes 80 and 81 after the valves 82 and 83 have been 0 )BIIOCl and the valve85. closed. Any, suita le controlmay be employed with the ipes 80 and 81 to control the movement 0 the body at will. 7 When, however, the automatic helm limiting means is in use the valves 82, 83 and 54 are,c1osed, and theivalve 85 opened as will be understood.

In case it is desired to operate the rudder operating means by a control separate from t e automatic means shown in Fig; 4, the valve 78 is opened to admit pressure fluid to the cylinder 67 to overcome the spring pressure and move the iston 68 in. a direction to release the frictiondisc 71 ,from engagement with the hollow clutch member 72. Thisrenders this portion of the mechanism inoperative and control of the rudder shifting piston 15 is had by way of the pressure fluid pipes 80 and 81 after the valves 82 and 83 have been opened-and the valve 85 closed. Any suitable control may be employed with the pipes 80 and. 81 to control the movement of the body at will. \Vhen, however, the automatic helm limiting means is in use the valves82, 83 and 7 8 are closed and the valve 85 opened as will understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a steeringmechanism ior a movable body, a rudder operatively mounted thereon, and rudder controlling means operated by the deviation oi said body from its course for controllingsaid rudder, including means for adjustably regulatin the rudder throwielatively to the deviation of the body. I

2. In a steering mechanism for a movable body, a rudder operatively mounted thereon, and rudder controllin means operated by the deviation of sai body from its coursecfor controlling said rudder, includi-ng adjustable means for varying the rate of angular rudder movement relatively to the deviation of said body. v

3. In a steering mechanism for a movable body, a rudder, means including a pair of contact members one including a movable segmental contact and insulation between the segments of said contact. and the other including a contact arm cooperating with said segmental contact to control the motion of the rudder, a stabilizer for maintainin one, of said members fixed in space, an

k means, adjustable at will, ogeratively intermeans, adjustable at will, 0

segmental contact and insulation between ents of said contact, and the other one ofisaid members fixed in connection adustable at will,

4; In a steering mechanism for a movable Y body, a rudder, means including a pair of contact members one including a movable segmental contact and insulation between the segments of said contact, and the other including a contact arm cooperating with said segmental contact to control the motion of the rudder, a oscope for maintainin one of said mem rs fixed in space, an

ratively interconnecting the other of sai members with the rudder for regulatin the rudder throw relatively to deviation 0 vthe body from a predetermined course. a t

5. In a steering mechanism for a movable body, a rudder, means including a pair of contact members, one including a movable segmental contact and insulation between the as cuts of said contact, and the other including a contact arm cooperating with said segmental contact to control the motion,

of the rudder, a pe for maintaining the first named of said members fixed in space and means, ad'ustable will, operatively interconnecting the other of said members with the rud er for regulatin the rudder throw relatively to deviation 0 the body from a predetermined course.

6.- In a steering mechanism for a movable body, a rudder, means including a pair of contact members one including a movable the segm including a contact arm cooperating with said segmental contact to control the motion of the rudder, a 'stabilizer for maintaining space, and a ratio va operativ y interconnectin e other ofsaid members with the rudder Ior'regulatin the rudder throw relatively to deviation 0 the body from a predetermined course.

7. In a steering mechanism for a movable body, a rudder means including a pair'of contact, members, one including a movable segmental contact and insulation between the segments of said contact, and the other including a .contact arm cooperating with said segmental contact to control the motion of the rudder, a gyroscopefor maintaining the first named of said members fixed i space and a ratio va ing connection at justable at will, operatively interconnectin the other of said members with the rudde for re lating the rudder throw relative] to deviation of the body from a predetei mined course.

8. In a steering mechanism for a movabi body, a rudder, means including a pair relatively movable members for controllin movement of said rudder, meansfor stab lizin one of said members, and a rod, at justa le in length, interconnecting the othe of said members and said rudder.

9. In a steering mechanism for a movabl body, a rudder, means including a pair c relatively movable members for controllin movement of said rudder, a gyroscope in stabilizing one of said members, and .a ro adjustable in length, interconnecting th other of said members and said rudder.

10. In a steering mechanism for a movabl body, a rudder, means including a pair 0 contact members one including a movabl segmental contact and insulation betwee the segments ofsaid contact, and the othe including a contact arm cooperating wit said segmental contact to control the motio of the rudder, a stabilizer for maintainin one of said members fixed in space, mean: adjustable at will, operatively interconnect ing the other of said members with the rud der for regulating the rudder throw rela tively todeviation of the body from a-pre determined course, and means for maintain g said last named interconnecting mean in adjusted position.

11.- In a steering mechanism for a movabl body, a' rudder means including-a pair .0 contact members, one including a movabl segmental contact and insulation betwee1 the segments of said contact, and he othe including a contact arm cooperating ,wit] said segmental contact to control the motio1 of the rudder, a gyroscope for maintaining the first named of said members, fixed i1 space a ratio varying connection adjustabl at will, 0 rative y interconnecting the oth er of sai members with the rudder for reg ulating the rudder throw relatively to de viation ot'the body from a predeterminem course, and a clamp for locking said ratii varying connection 'in" ad'usted position.

In testimony whereof hereunto afiix'm signature.

ALBERT D. TRENOR. 

